What stat method do you use??

[Desdichado]

My preferred method lately is to take the standard array and give everyone three more points to distrubute as they please.

 

[Green Knight]

I couldn't answer your poll, because you don't have an "Other" option. I ask players to distribute a certain number of points, usually 72, on a one-for-one basis. (Not starting at 8 for each stat, but at zero.) Then I give them a list of items they could include in their biography to earn additional points. In my current campaign, a player who gives me everything on the list ends up with 80 points to distribute.

So what's on your list?

 

[Valiantheart]

I use a 32 Point DISTRIBUTION....not buy.

Basically all stats start at 8 and the character can distribute the 32 points however they see fit (up to 18). Stats do not cost more points as they increase. I use a 25 point distribution for commoners.

I use this method because it allows people to achieve whatever class idea they have. The normal point buy system does not.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Hmmm, my players prefer using dice, though I allow point buy with 27 points.

For NPCs I use point buy, and ,odify the number of points available depending on the character.

Brutes, Peons, and Cannon Fodder: 20 points.
Henchmen, and recurring NPCs: 25 points.
Major Villains and Heroic NPCs Who Will Plague the Character's Lives: Priceless. Umm, I mean 30 points.

The Auld Grump, who allows himself to fudge the numbers... but doesn't.

 

[KaosDevice]

I tend to agree with Cedric, at least in so far as two systems go, D&D and Call of Cthulhu. I don't know why but randomlly rolled stats just feel "right" for thos two games for me. For D&D my stat rolling set up is roll 4d6, re roll ones and/or the first two(i.e. number 2, if you get more then one 2 you are stuck with the others, if it comes up 2 again you can reroll untill you get something other then two.) and slot the stats where you like. If the character is completely pathetic if the player can beat me in a strait up percentile roll she can reroll the whole character. But I only do this if the players agree to this sort of roll-up before hand, if they want point buy then I use the standard RPGA style point by generation.

Between the two though, roll-up is more fun for me.

 

[Zulithe]

I have a campaign coming up and I'm considering using Point Buy (maybe 32pt buy).

In the past I have *always* used 4d6 drop lowest, but, and I hate to admit this, some of the players I have are REAL CHEATERS!!! They alway seem to end up with godly stats. And of course, they never roll them in front of me! I was recently a player in a campaign with some of them, I rolled my stats very fairly and they did not. I ended up with a character that seemed very weak in comparison, watching as their charcters hogged the spotlight in almost every situation.

I think, just to be safe I will be using 32pt buy. Oh, and seek some new players

 

[haiiro]

Given my druthers, I always use point buy.

My current take on point buy for D&D is a base 6 in every stat, with 38 points to distribute on a 1:1 basis. I dig it.

 

[Alaric_Prympax]

I've always rolled dice since I started playing with Basic D&D. That is the way to make characters IMO. Also I like the randomness that rolling presents compared to the point buy.

My method is roll 4d6, drop the lowest die, 7 times, drop the lowest roll. Distribute numbers where you want to make any character/class you want. I've have never had a problem with this method. If there are too many low numbers I have no problem with players rolling another set of numbers, I just save those stats to make a colorful commoner NPC. Afterall adventurers are supposed to be better then commoners, that's why they are adventurers (at least IMO).

 

[Psiblade]

I have had a couple of players show up with the uber roll characters. It was not fun for the rest of the group. Ever since, We have had point buy characters. I have been very happy with the results. We have varied between 28 & 32 on point buy for characters. I do not think we will ever go back to rolling.


-Psiblade

 

[Majere]

Our groups has tried just about everything, and in general we prefer rolling dice. Methods we have used include :
5d6 pick best 3, 6 times
4d6 pick best 3, 7 times pick best 6
3d6 9 times, pick best 6
3d6 8 times, pick best 7 use one as a "poll to add to the other 6 on a 1 for 1 basis
4d6 pick best 3, "As they lie"
32 point buy
35 point buy
2d6+6 6 times

The general consensus is this:
Point buy aside all stats are rolled as a group
The DM has the right to say you are a munchkin and make you reroll becaus eyou will die before you finish writing your background.
If you roll an uber character the rest of the group will generally mock you and proceed to porray him as a dork so we all feel better about it

We prfer a bit of fun and a heroic feel, sure you can write a campeign for a bunch of characters with only 10s 11s and 12s, but the challenges are lmited by the parties ability, so why not have a bit more fun and make them more able so you can give them more challenges